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Giuliani, Thompson, Romney and McCain took the gloves off.
Composite image by POLITICO

ORLANDO, Fla. — After two weeks of sparring from afar, the top GOP presidential candidates took their attacks up close Sunday, using the first round of their debate here to question one another’s conservative credentials.

Gradually, they shifted their attention away from one another and onto a common foe, Sen. Hillary Clinton, but it was the scrapping among themselves that summed up the increasingly-heated Republican primary race.

Thompson, showing a degree of passion unseen in his first debate appearance two weeks ago, offered perhaps the toughest charges of the night.

He blasted Giuliani on abortion, immigration, gun control, taxes and the former New York mayor’s support for Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo's reelection bid in 1994.

“So I simply disagree with him those issues,” said the former Tennessee senator. “And he sides with Hillary Clinton on each of those issues I just mentioned.”

In GOP primary politics, a direct comparison to the party’s bete noire amounts to fighting words, and Giuliani was not shy in hitting back.

“Fred has his problems, too,” said Giuliani, calling his rival “the single biggest obstacle to tort reform in the United States Senate.”

Prodded on by Fox moderators plainly encouraging a top-tier tiff, Thompson took another shot at Giuliani’s support for keeping New York a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants, prompting another critique in reply.

“The senator has never had executive responsibility,” Giuliani said, adding that Thompson has also “never had the weight of people's safety and security on his shoulders.”

But it wasn’t just the two former New York prosecutors (one on TV, one in real life) who scrapped.

McCain, with evident glee, leveled some of his toughest shots yet at Romney.

“You've been spending the past year fooling people about your record,” McCain charged.

Later, in an allusion to Romney’s background as a venture capitalist, McCain said, “I didn't manage for profit, I led for patriotism.”

For his part, Romney declined to return any fire at McCain, preferring to keep up his contrast with Giuliani on social issues.

“All of us on the stage are Republican,” Romney said. “But the question is, who will be able to build the house that Ronald Reagan built?”

Romney was referring to his message that GOP success depends on keeping social conservatives in an alliance with fiscal and security hawks.

Romney strategist Alex Castellanos was more candid in articulating the line of attack after the debate, expressing wonderment at Giuliani’s repeated invocation of Reagan.

“That’s a tad odd given that he wants to junk the Reagan model that has been successful for Republicans since 1980,” Castellanos said.

The top-tier Republicans took some time out from attacking each other to criticize Clinton.

Citing a recent quote by Clinton that, while she has “a million ideas,” the country “can’t afford them all,” Giuliani sounded a note that had a decidedly direct New York feel to it.

Readers' Comments (780)

When the Right Wing Army has an 'ethnic cleansing" debate, we all our prosper ! Is America starting to learn that Rudy and the Mittster pander to any conservative they can find ? I am just sorry that that they did not have spitwads to hurl at each other ? Was it a debate or a re-make of Animal House ?

I thought it was a good debate by all. Romney looked great and still has my vote. I wish he'd come out of his Mr. Perfect shell a little and hit McCain in the mouth though. McCain tries to shame Romney for consulting with people before pushing the button on a nuclear weapon or jumping into another war. McCain's only stratagy is "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran!" Being a Maverick is one thing, but being irresponsible is another. I thing Mitt would get major points from voters if he shoved over his podium and choked McCain with the microphone cord.

McCain constantly crying and saying Romney isn't REALLY pro-life is wearing thin. I have been subscribed to his newsletter since the day he announced he was thinking about announcing that he was announcing. I unsubscribed today, because he has just gotten petty and dishonest in his desparation.

There was no mention of the candidates positions on withdrawal from Iraq. How can the biggest issue to voters be ignored so easily? It is obvious the top tier GOP candidates have no plan to ever leave Iraq! They plan to stay the course and occupy forever!

Mitt was excellent and I liked his internship remark about Hillary. And the always needed reminder of how little experience she really has at leading. Mitt is the strongest candidate to run against Hillary in a general election. He has the passion for the job, the intelligence, the energy and the disposition to be POTUS. I like Rudy. I will vote for Rudy if he is the GOP candidate but I think he'll split the party, thereby giving Hillary the White House. John McCain's demeanor is wrong for POTUS. He is a great war hero but he also reminds me of one of those guys in a bar who picks a fight rather than avoiding a fight. Plus he is dishonest about Mitt, who he glowingly stumped for when Mitt ran for governor. He is going after Mitt in a very back stabbing, two faced manner. It's the worst trait in a politician. Thompson looked a little more energized tonight, but not much. So many um's and uh's, then he gets to the point and it's very dull. He's seems like a nice man, but is too laid back. Ron Paul, for the most part, still sounds like a man on the corner street barking out his end of day prophecies to anyone who'll listen. He has no leadership qualities at all. Mike Huckabee said some good and funny things. If I were a churchgoer, I'm sure he wouldn't put me to sleep on Sunday. I'd say he would make a fine VP, if he got a better assessment from The Club for Growth org.

I thought it was a good debate by all. Romney looked great and still has my vote. I wish he'd come out of his Mr. Perfect shell a little and hit McCain in the mouth though. McCain tries to shame Romney for consulting with people before pushing the button on a nuclear weapon or jumping into another war. McCain's only stratagy is "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran!" Being a Maverick is one thing, but being irresponsible is another. I thing Mitt would get major points from voters if he shoved over his podium and choked McCain with the microphone cord.

This is probably the most immature post I've ever seen. You make Nerdalert look like a statesman, and thats hard to do. McCain is an honest man who has tried to serve his country. Please be somewhat respectful. I understand that you disagree with McCain, but come on. I don't like Romney, but even I doubt you are really a Romney supporter. I think he is sneaky, but most of his supporters seem like really nice people. You sound more like a Mike Gravel kind of guy to me.

McCain constantly crying and saying Romney isn't REALLY pro-life is wearing thin. I have been subscribed to his newsletter since the day he announced he was thinking about announcing that he was announcing. I unsubscribed today, because he has just gotten petty and dishonest in his desparation.

Hey, its your favourite idiot again! I may have been mistaken, but I didn't hear McCain say anything about abortion and Romney. In fact abortion hasn't been a big part of his campaign at all. Iraqi and earmarks are the main points he is talking about. You have also been disrespecting and slandering McCain for along time, I highly doubt you were once a McCain supporter. Are you a Romney supporter like the guy above you? I hope not. I am not a Romney fan at all, but I think he is to nice a guy to deserve supporters like you. Logic is a nice thing, you might want to look into it. Sorry if I offend you. Don't forget I'm the guy you just called a double idiot, so maybe I don't understand.

The only real man up there is John McCain. I can not for the LIFE of me figure out why the GOP hates the guy, but it says everything that needs to be said about the party that they tossed a great senator (and I'm a Democrat!) and war hero like McCain overboard in 2000 to elect a stupid A-hole coward like GW, and they STILL hate him. My, how different the world would be today if McCain were president during 9-11. I disagree w/ McCain on a LOT of things, especially Iraq, but he's the only guy up there that I would consider voting for over Hillary. He's the real deal and a man's man...the rest are idiots. But since the GOP is STILL all screwed up, they'll send up one of those other losers to face Hillary (or Obama?) and he'll get wiped in a landslide of historic proportions by either one of them. Serves that party right and will be the final nail in the coffin of the "modern" Republican party.

Cato Rome. I was being sarcastic in my post. Of course I don't think politicians should resort to fisticuffs. Did you really think I was serious, or were you just jumping at the chance to insult a Romney supporter? I think Governor Romney takes too much unjust criticism from people and doesn't defend himself very well. McCain tried to attack him several times tonight and Romney could have shot back, but he didn't. He kept it polite when he could have pointed out just how delusioned and irresponsible McCain's devil-may-care attitude is. If you think my painting a humerous picture is immature, that's your opinion. In your post, you not only insulted Nerdalert and I, but also called Governor Romney sneaky. That's 3 personal attacks in response to my calling McCain irresponsible. It looks to me that your post was the more childish of the two.

In any case, it was definitely an amusing debate at the beginning. I was surprised at how quickly Thompson launched an attack on Giuliani; it was literally at the beginning.

It took them a while to get into any substantive issues. I mean, come on, "who is the most/real Republican?" It wasn't until the black guy started asking questions that we got their positions on serious issues, and even then, once Chris Wallace started asking questions, we went back on the dumb track, at least until they got to the Russia/foreign affairs questions.

They were also quite vitriolic in attacks on Hillary (with the cheering of the audience), far more so than the last Republican debate. It will be extremely amusing if Hillary does not win the nomination; I'm almost certain that the frontrunners are planning on her taking the nomination.

Cato Rome. By the way, if you thought the "Bomb, bomb, bomb......bomb, bomb Iran" part of my post was immature, I agree. I didn't come up with that, McCain sang it to some war hawks at a fundraiser when asked how he would deal with Iran. That was immature and reckless for sure. One more thing, here in the U.S. favorite isn't spelled favourite, that's how the Brits spell it. (You aren't posting from England are you?)

We're taking back the whitehouse in 2008 face it Republicans. I'm so sorry to say it, corporate America has turned against you, the evangelicals have turned against you, your traditional supporters have turned against you and most of all AMERICA has turned against you. Time to usher in the Democratic majority.

Cato Rome. I was being sarcastic in my post. Of course I don't think politicians should resort to fisticuffs. Did you really think I was serious, or were you just jumping at the chance to insult a Romney supporter? I think Governor Romney takes too much unjust criticism from people and doesn't defend himself very well. McCain tried to attack him several times tonight and Romney could have shot back, but he didn't. He kept it polite when he could have pointed out just how delusioned and irresponsible McCain's devil-may-care attitude is. If you think my painting a humerous picture is immature, that's your opinion. In your post, you not only insulted Nerdalert and I, but also called Governor Romney sneaky. That's 3 personal attacks in response to my calling McCain irresponsible. It looks to me that your post was the more childish of the two.

Sorry for taking you at face value, althought if you aren't new to this site I'm sure you know that people say stuff like that all the time. I'm not sure how you thought being that sarcastic and hateful would make even a slightly decent point. And just so you know there is a big difference between satire and exaggeration. I don't care if you call McCain irresponsible. I see him as refreshingly straight forward and honest, but I see why some people would think he is abrasive. I just hate when people trash him personally (like he should be choked, or he is a traitor), because I respect his military and political career. I also don't like peple needlessly trashing other military people like Kerry or Murtha either, just in case you are a Democrat. You should try to use facts and analysis instead of reactionary prose if you want to change people mind.

As far as being childish, if you had meant what you said, even if you were exaggerating, you would have deserved everything I said. And again if you were more familiar with this site you might see why I said that about Nerdalert. I think Romney is a nice person who is sneaky because he changes his beliefs to get people to vote for him. I think he is a good guy, who I would be happy to work for in given the chance. I just don't see him as having the convictions or electability to make a good president. A good businessman yes, but not a president. I hope that clears that up. Have a great day and read into Romney's positions, both past and present, if you really support him. You might be surprised.

Cato Rome. By the way, if you thought the "Bomb, bomb, bomb......bomb, bomb Iran" part of my post was immature, I agree. I didn't come up with that, McCain sang it to some war hawks at a fundraiser when asked how he would deal with Iran. That was immature and reckless for sure. One more thing, here in the U.S. favorite isn't spelled favourite, that's how the Brits spell it. (You aren't posting from England are you?)

I understand that it was his parody of a beach boys song. I thought it was funny and that people should lighten up. He was joking around with a bunch of veterans. Like I said I don't have a problem with you believing he is irresponsible, just your tone and the harsh comments. I think he is to rough for some people. Kind of like a political John Wayne, straight talking, tough, honest, and a bit abrasive. Some people don't want a tough politician, they wan't someone who makes them feel good. I realize he is a man in the old-fashioned mold. I think we need that now, but if you don't that fine. Lets have a spirited debate on ideas and policy and convictions. And I hope I would be saying the same thing if a McCain supporter said similar things about Romney.

Sorry for the British spelling of favourite, I like to read British literature. I am an American.

Giuliani is out in front by a considerable margin in the consensus polls and his perfomance at this debate is not going to change that dynamic. With his showing at the FRC gathering and his debate perfomances, Huckabee continues to demonstrate why he should be Rudy's running mate. The best debate by either party so far and good, strong adult questions from the team at FNC.

FREE JEFF BADURA!!!

Douglas in Brussels

"Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.".......Ronald Reagan

Surprisingly, I think Huckabee looked the best in this debate. Giuliani also had a strong night. I think the Fox News questions were good on domestic issues, but the moderators seemed to forget about immigration, the war on terror, and Iraqi. I guess they thought that these issues had been covered in previous debates, but still I was disappointed. I think Huckabee really bolstered his chances at becoming the choice for vice-president. I think McCain/Huckabee would be a very strong ticket.

REPLYING TO LIFEBOY; Of course you like McCain - you're a Democrat - I've got several Democrat friends that think, and have always thought, that he's "the Golden Republican" - now does that tell you anything about why Republicans might not like him? He's spent far too much time fighting AGAINST Republican causes, and fighting AGAINST this administration and fighting AGAINST secure borders, and being "the maverick". And by the way, WE'RE pretty fond of your man, Lieberman, too.

This is probably the most immature post I've ever seen. You make Nerdalert look like a statesman, and thats hard to do. McCain is an honest man who has tried to serve his country. Please be somewhat respectful. I understand that you disagree with McCain, but come on. I don't like Romney, but even I doubt you are really a Romney supporter. I think he is sneaky, but most of his supporters seem like really nice people. You sound more like a Mike Gravel kind of guy to me.

Well said.

McCain served our country well and served under Reagan's leadership. He's very experienced in foreign matters and is the right man for a time like this. He is what this country needs and comes from a very long history line of family veterans that have served our country HONORABLY.

John McCain is only a couple years older than Ronald Reagan when Reagan started his Presidency. In my opionion Reagan carried out wisdom throughout his service to our country, and I believe McCain's experience and political savviness is what we need right now.

Good for you. Just in time for even more Global warming, water shortages and a very real decline in world oil production.

The Democrats can meet and talk and meet and talk and meet and talk and nothing will really get done. It is going to be great fun to watch. Get ready to cry and get even more hysterical. I love the liberal progressive WHINE!